Window latching device



June 24, 1958 M. RIFKIN 2,840,406

WINDOW LATCHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 13, 1956 45 M QWZ 78 g wwww Z0 4 I 58I v ww 55 Q4 5g r 5 INVENTOR "a V 'r 1 MA ATTO RNEY United StatesPatentfiO i 2,840,406 WlNDOW LATCH-{LNG DEVICE Michael Rifkin,Lyndhurst, N. J. Application December 13, 1956, Serial No. 628,073

11 Claims. c1. 292 149 This invention relates generally to improvementsin window construction, and, more particularly, to improvements in alatching device therefor.

In my application Serial No. 602,031, filed on August 3, 1956, forWindow Construction, there is disclosed a latch arrangement having novelmeans for locking sashes in a closed, or near closed, condition in aburglarproof manner and the primary aim and object'of the presentinvention is the provision of a latch arrangement of a generally similarcharacter having improved means for locking sashes in a burglarproofmanner. 7

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of animproved latch device of the afore-'. noted character which is of simpledesign and construc tion, easy to install and service, and which iseminently suitable in the accomplishment of its intended purposes.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawing in which: I

Fig. l is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing a sash stileand associated latch device of the present invention with the latchdevice in an unlocked condition; Fig. 2 is a view similar'to Fig. 1 withthe latch device shown in a locked condition;

i Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the latching in ember of thelatchdevice with the lock 'screw installed;

Fig. 4 is a top view thereof shownpartially in section; Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 3 showing a modified form of latching member and lockscrew;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 correspondingto the latching memberof Fig. 5; l

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing another :forrn of latchingmember and lock screw; and H Fig.8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showinganother form of latch device.

6 Referring to the drawing in detail, there is shown spring meansdisposed between said jamb'member and the movable runner.

The latch device 14 of the present invention shown in Figs. 1-4 isgenerally similar to the latch device shown in Figs. 16-20a of myaforereferred to copending application and said latch device is securedin the recess or mortise 16 of a companion sash stile 18. The latchdevice 14 incorporates an improved anti-burglary feature so that thesashes may be locked in a closed, or near closed, position in aburglarproof manner as will be described in detail below. The latchdevice 14 comprises a U-shaped bracket 20 having laterally spaced walls22 and 24 interconnected Patented June '24, 1958 V 2 by a transversewall 26, said wall 24 defining a face plate which is fiush, with thesurface of the outer side 28 of thestile. The walls 22 and 24 havealigned apertures 30 and 32', respectively, extending therethrough, thelatter aperture being elongated in a substantially horizontal plane. Thelatching member 34 is mounted to the bracket 20 for pivotal bodilymovement and for axial reciprocation, said latching member having acentral part 36 of quadrilateral cross section and end parts 38 and- 4 0iof circular cross section. The end part 38 extends loosely through theaperture 30 and is adapted to project into the closed bottom aperture 42of the stile. The end part 40 extends through the elongated aperture 32and normally projects beyond the surface of the side 28 of the stile. v

Secured to the wall 26 of the bracket 20 by a rivet 44 is aleaf spring46 which biases the latching member 34 in a horizontal plane, saidspring having an arcuate end portion 48 which interengages intheV-groove 50 in the normal projected position of said latching member asshown in Fig. 1. The latching member is axiallyretractible for sashremoval from the window frame and is axially projectible to a sashlocked position as shown in Fig. 2 in which the spring end portion 48 ispartially dis: engaged from its companion groove. The jamb52, companion.to thelatch device 14, corresponds in all respects to the jamb 300 ofmy above referred to copending application and is routed to define thelongitudinal groove 54, the latter having a'sash track member 56suitablysecured therein. The track member 56 has a series of verticallyspaced'should'e'r portions 58 adapted for releasable interengagementwith end part 40 for releasably positively} latching its companion sashat corresponding levels.

Sound absorbing pads 60 are suitably secured adjacent to the shoulderportions 58 for deadening the sound of the latching member engaging saidshoulder portions. The track members are provided with .end, portionlocking recesses 'with registering recess portions being jprovided inthe jamb. for the reception of a. companion latching member 34 forlockingfthe sashes in a cl os dror slightly opened position as"described in detail in my copending ppli i r in which end part 40isdisposed in "a track member lock-i ing recess and registered jamb recessportion. as-shown in 64 is threaded through the tapped aperture 66- andextends,

through a registering aperture .68 in thespringj46 into abuttingrelationwith the wall 26 of the bracket. The;

' edge 79 of the' sp ringf46, which defines the apert ure 6 8,

suitable design or configuration such 'asconical configura forms a lockscrew stop which preventsthe, axial retrac-. tion of the'latching memberand vertical sash movement;

As showniin Fig. 2, the latching m'emberis preferably disposed at anangle to the face of thesash stileand the" wall 26 of the 'bracket'sothat the lock screw will wedge against saidwall if axial retraction ofthe latching member is attempted. 'The. lock s'crew,'in its lockingposition,

abuts the wall 26 and prevents the pivotal bodily move-Q ment of'thelatching member and sash" release. i i

3 Pursuant to the present invention, 'fthef'front' exposed surface 72 ofthe part 36 of the latching member is knurled or serrated with amultiplicity of uniformly spaced projecting portions 74, the latter"being of any tion with a pointed apex as shown in the illustrated embodiment of Figs. l-4.' The lock screw head 76 is slottedn as indicatedat 78 and is disposed in flush relation with" the surface, 7;2.,of thelatching member. in the locking position' of; the lock screw. Thehead-76 corresponds to 6 near impossible without. frontal visualjaccess.

the" projecting 'portions74 and is of conical configuration With npointedapex so as to render lock screw removal burglarproof from aposition without frontal visual access thereto. Thus in the locked.condition of the lock screw accurate registration ofa screwdriverwithJslot. 78 isrequired toremove the lock screw and this may be easilyeffected by one from an inside positionfor from inside thebuildingstructure but becomes a difficult or near impossible task for a burglarwho must gain access to the lock screw froman outside position, as bybreaking a-windowpane. Even if the burglar is sufiiciently accomplishedto know that lock screw removal is required foru'nlocking a sash, hewill be frustratedin his attempt touremove "the lock screw withoutfrontal visual access thereto,eand thus the latching device provides aburglarproof sash lock. With thelock screw in the locked condition; thefront surface:72 presents a uniform feel to the touch or to ascrewdriver throughout the area thereof tojtherefore render the locatingof the lock screw head The lock screw may be disposed at any positionrelative to the part '36 of the latching member.

Secured in the elongated opening 80 of the sash stile is a trim plate 82which comprises an outer plate 84 and a recessed part 86, the latteri'nterfittingin said opening. Theou'ter plate 84 is secured to the sashstile in flush' relation therewith and the rear wall-88 of the recessedpart provided with anelongated opening90'for the extension'therethroughof the finger piece 62, and the lock screw replacement therefor, saidrear. wall having a pe-. ripher'al'g asket 92 secured thereto and inadjacent relation with the latching member for deadening the soundbetween said rear wall and the latching member. The part 36 of thelatching member isjaccessible through the trim plate and the fingerpiece 62 is normally secured to said part for actuating the latter, saidfinger piece being removed anda lock screw substituted by thehouseholder whenit is desired to lock the sashes in a burglarproofmanner. H

The latching memberis preferably disposed at an angle to the faced thesash stile and the plate 84 to render it more difficult to engage thelock screw headwith a screwdriver from a blind position and thus tofurther frustrate a would-be burglar With referenceto Figs. 5 and6,,there is shown a slight- 1y modified form of latching member 34 whichdiffers from the latching member 34 'in the provision of a lock screw64' having a flat ltype head'76 which is knurled or serratedcorresponding tothe knurling or serrations of the frontsurface 72'. Thusthe lock screw head 76 and the front "surface 72' are knurled in acorresponding manner torender lock screw removal burglarproof fromablind position. V

' With reference to Fig. 7, there is shown another modifie'd form oflatching member 34" which differs from the of the known types ofremovable sash windows having laterally movable runners and if desired,such latch device may even be used with non-removable sash windows. Withreference to Fig. 8, there is shown a modified form of latch device 14which differs from latch device 14 in the respects now to be described.Latch device 14' comprises a U-shaped bracket 20 having aligned circularapertures 30' and 32' which mount the latching member 34 for axialmovement. The latching member 34" has a central part 36 whichcorresponds to the part 36 previouslydescribed and incorporates asimilar anti-burglary feature utilizing a similar lock screw 64. Thestop'member 94 for the lockscrew is suitably secured to the bracket 20'and is constituted by an angle part which prevents the axial retractionof the latching member. The latching member includes end parts 38" and40" of circular cross section, said part 38" being surrounded by acoiled compression spring 96 which extends between the wall 22 and theperipheral shoulder 98 of the part 36, said spring being effective tobias the latching member to the right viewing Fig. 8 and in a latchingdirection. The jamb 100 is provided with a series of vertically spacedapertures 102 defined by the sound absorbent sleeves 104, said aperturesbeing adapted for the reception of the part 40" for releasably latchingthe sash at selected levels. In order to lock the sash in a sash lockedposition and in a burglarproof manner,

. the part 40" is engaged in an aperture 102 at a level in which thesash is closed or near closed and the lock screw 64 is substituted forthe normally used finger piece in the aforedescribed manner. Theapertures 102 may be disposed in a jamb or fixed or movable runner andthe latching membcr'may be provided with any of the types ofanti-burglary constructions described above. It will be understood thatwith the lock screw removed, the sash may be vertically adjusted bymanipulating the latching member in the direction of the arrow againstthe action of the spring 96 to disengage the part 40" from an associatedaperture 102. As in the case of the latch device.14, a trim plate 82' issecured to the sash stile to expose the part 36' of the latching memberin the manner described above in detail.

If desired, the latch device 14 may have a suitable part or device, suchas a plastic block, secured to the inside surface of the wall 26 inalignment with the lock screw 64 so as to insure the tightness of thelock screw when the head thereof is in flush relation with the surface72 of the latching member. Such plastic block may be apertured for thereception of the end of the lock screw 64, the latter forming its ownthreads in the block and being received tightly therein for theaforenoted purpose.

-While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention it will be mani- 72" is provided with a series:of randomly arranged V dummy slots 79 which dimensionally correspond tothe slot ,78" of the lock screw head and it will; beappreciated that thewould-be burglar is faced with a nearimpossible taskto locate slot 78'?from a blind position. It

will be understood that any standard lock screw head,

such. as ,an Allen head, may be utilized, pursuant to the presentinvention in which case the dummy screw heads randomly arranged-alongthe surface 72" will'corfest to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive conceptand that the same is not limited to the particular form herein shown anddescribed except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: a 1. A latching device, comprising abracket mounting a latching member for'axial movement between first andsecond positions, and means for locking said latching member in one ofsaid positions thereof comprising abutment means disposed in fixedrelation with said bracket and a lock screw'carried by said latchingmember disposed for engagement with said abutment means in the lockingposition thereof, said lock screw having a slotted head which isdisposed in substantially flush relation with adjacent surface portionsof said latching member in the lockingposition of said lock screw,saidlatching member surface portions having surface interruptionscorresponding to said lock screw head in the region of the latterwhereby to render lock screw removal burglarproof from a positionwithout frontal visual access thereto.

2. A latching device, comprising a bracket mounting a latching memberfor axial movement between first and second positions, and means forlocking said latching member in one of said positions thereof comprisingabutment means carried by said bracket and a lock screw carried by saidlatching member disposed for engagement with said abutment means in thelocking position thereof, said lock screw having a slotted head which isdisposed in substantially flush relation with adjacent surface portionsof said latching member in the locking position of said lock screw, saidlatching member surface portions being serrated corresponding to saidlock screw head in the region of the latter whereby to render lock screwremoval burglarproof from a position without frontal visual accessthereto.

3. A latching device, comprising a bracket mounting a latching memberfor axial movement between first and second positions, and means forlocking said latching member in one of said positions thereof comprisingabutment means disposed in fixed relation with said bracket and a lockscrew carried by said latching member disposed for engagement with saidabutment means in the locking position thereof, said lock screw having aslotted head which is disposed in substantially flush relation withadjacent surface portions of said latching member in the lockingposition of said lock screw, said latching member surface portions beingserrated with a multiplicity of spaced projecting portions, and saidlock screw head having a terminal end part corresponding to saidprojecting portions whereby to render lock screw removal burglarprooffrom a position without frontal visual access there- 4. A latchingdevice, comprising a bracket mounting a latching member for axialmovement between first and second positions, and mean for locking saidlatching member in one of said positions thereof comprising abutmentmeans carried by said bracket and a lock screw carried by said latchingmember disposed for engagement with said abutment means in the lockingposition thereof, said lock screw having a slotted head which isdisposed in substantially flush relation with adjacent surface portionsof said latching member in the locking position of said lock screw, saidlatching member surface portionsbeing serrated with a multiplicity ofspaced projecting portions, and said lock screw head having a terminalend part corresponding to said projecting portions whereby to renderlock screw removal burglarproof from a position without frontal visualaccess thereto, said end part and projecting portions being of generallyconical configuration with a substantially pointed apex.

5. A latching device, comprising a bracket mounting a latching memberfor axial movement between first and second positions, and means forlocking said latching member in one of said positions thereof comprisingabutment means carried by said bracket and a lock screw carried by saidlatching member disposed for engagement with said abutment means in thelocking position thereof, said lock screw having a slotted head which isdisposed in substantially flush relation with adjacent surface portionsof said latching member in the locking position of said lock screw, saidlatching member surface portions and said lock screw head being serratedwith a multiplicity of spaced projecting portions whereby to render lockscrew removal burglarproof from a position without frontal visual accessthereto.

6. A latching device, comprising a bracket mounting a latching memberfor axial movement between first and second positions, and means forlocking said latching member in one of said positions thereof comprisingabutment means carried by said bracket and a lock screw carried by saidlatching member disposed for engagement with said abutment means in thelocking position thereof,

said lock screw having a slotted head which is disposed in substantiallyflush relation with adjacent surface portions of said latching member inthe locking positionof said lock screw, said latching member surfaceportions having a plurality of randomly arranged slots corresponding tosaid lock screw head slot whereby to render lock screw removalburglarproof from a position without frontal visual access thereto.

7. A latching device, comprising a bracket mounting a latching memberfor axial movement between first and second positions, and means forlocking said latching member in one of said positions thereof comprisingabutment means disposed in fixed relation with said bracket and a lockscrew carried by said latching member disposed for engagement with saidabutment means in the locking position thereof, said lock screw having ahead of predetermined configuration which is disposed in substantiallyflush relation with adjacent surface portions of said latching member inthe locking position of said lock screw, said latching member surfaceportions having surface interruptions corresponding to said lock screwhead in'the region of the latter whereby to render lock screw removalburglarproof from a position without frontal visual access thereto.

8. A latching device for a window construction of the characterdescribed, comprising a bracket having aligned apertures, alatchingmember mounted for axial movement in said aligned apertures, saidlatching member having an end portion thereof extending through one ofsaid apertures and laterally beyond the surface of a companion wall ofsaid bracket in a projected position, said latching member being axiallymovable from said projected position to a retracted position in whichsaid projecting portion is retracted inwardly of said bracket, and meansfor locking said latching member in said projected position com risingabutment means carried by said bracket and a lock screw carried by saidlatching member disposed for engagement with said abutment means in thelocking position thereof, said lock screw having a slotted head which isdisposed in substantially flush relation with adjacent surface portionsof said latching member in the locking position of said lock screw, saidlatching member surface portions having surface interruptionscorresponding to said lock screw head whereby to render lock screwremoval burglarproof from a position without frontal visual accessthereto.

9. A latching device for a window construction of the characterdescribed, comprising a bracket having aligned apertures, alatching'member mounted for axial movement in said aligned apertures,said latching member having an end portion thereof extending through oneof said apertures and laterally beyond the surface of a companion wallof said bracket in a projected position, said latching member beingaxially movable from said projected position to a retracted position inwhich said projecting portion is retracted inwardly of said bracket, and

means for locking said latching member in said projected positioncomprising abutment means carried by said bracket and a lock screwcarried by said latching member disposed for engagement with saidabutment means in the locking position thereof, said lock screw having aslotted head which is disposed in substantially flush relation withadjacent surface portions of said latching member in the lockingposition of said lock screw, said latching member surface portionshaving surface interruptions corresponding to said lock screw headwhereby to render lock screw removal burglarproof from a positionwithout frontal visual access thereto, said latching member surfaceportions being serrated with a multiplicity of spaced projectingportions, and said lock screw head having a terminal end partcorresponding to said projecting portions.

10. A latching device for a window construction of the characterdescribed, comprising a bracket having aligned apertures one of which iselongated in one plane,

7 a latchingzmember mounted for: pivotal bodily movement in said planein saidaligned apertures, said, latching member 'havingan end portionthereof extendingpthrough said elongated aperture anduextendinglaterally beyond the surface. of a companion wall of said bracket, meanscarried by said bracket for, resiliently biasing said latching member insaid plane towards one end of said elongated aperture, said latchingmembenbeing axially movable from said position in which said projectingportion extends laterally beyond ,saidt wall surface to a retractedposition in which said projecting portion is retracted inwardly of saidbracket from said first mentioned position, and means for locking saidlatching member in said first mentioned axial positionanddisposed atsaid one end of said elongated aperture, said means comprising abutmentmeans carried by said bracketand a lock screw carried by 7 said latchingmember disposed for engagement with said abutment means in the" lockingposition thereof, said lock screwhaving a slotted head which is disposedin flush relation with adjacent surface portions of said latchingmember, in the locking position of said lock screw, said latching membersurface portions having surface interruptions corresponding to said lockscrew head whereby to render lock screw removal burglarprooffrom aposition without frontal visual access thereto.

11. A latching device for a window construction of the characterdescribed, comprising a U-shaped bracket having laterally spaced wallsand a connecting transverse wall, said laterally spaced walls havingaligned apertures one of which is elongated in a direction towards saidtransverse wall, a latching member mounted for pivotal bodily movementin said direction in said aligned apertures, said latching member havingan end portion thereof extending through said elongated aperture andextending laterally beyond the surface of a companion lateral wall ofsaid bracket, said latching member being axially movable from saidposition in which said projecting portion extends laterally beyondsaidWall surface to a retracted position in which said projecting portion isretracted inwardly of said bracket from said first mentioned position,means carried by said bracket for resiliently biasing said latchingmember in said direction, and means for locking said latching member insaid first mentioned axial position with said latching member disposedat the end of said elongated aperture remote from said transversewall,said means comprising abutment means carried by saidbracket and a lockscrew carried by said latching member disposed for engagement with saidabutment means carried by said bracket and a lock screw carried by saidlatching member disposed forengagement with said abutment means in thelocking position thereof, said lock screw having a slotted head which isdisposed in flush relation with adjacent surface portions of saidlatching member in the locking position of said lock screw, saidlatching member surface portions having surface interruptionscorresponding to said lock screw head whereby to render lock screwremoval burglarproof from a position without frontal visual accessthereto, said lock screw engaging said transverse Wall to preventpivotal bodily movement of said latching member towards said transversewall.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSGrossman Feb. 8, 1955

